The study site is located in the front range of the Rocky Mountains in SW Alberta. The terrain is steep, covering a large elevation gradient. The degree of variation in precipitation inputs is variable due to these characteristics. Overall the study area is likely the highest water yielding area of the Rocky Mountain Region. Much of this precipitation is in the form of snow, resulting in significant snow accumulation and a snow melt dominated hydrograph. The surficial geology is creaceous shale and sandstone overlain by well to imperfectly drained soils. The pre-fire forest was lodgepole pine at lower elevations, Englemann spruce and subapline fir at mid-elevations, and alpine meadows and bare rock above the treeline.